Ahly’s Coach Blames Fatigue For Dull League Display

Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry has blamed fatigue for the team’s dull display in Thursday’s 1-0 Egyptian Premier League victory over Wadi Degla.

The Red Devils needed a glancing header from forward El-Sayed Hamdi on the stroke of halftime to claim all three points after a mediocre display behind closed doors.

“We were affected by a state of fatigue. I hoped we would have some rest following the Bizertin trip,” El-Badry said after the game, referring to Ahly’s goalless draw with the Tunisian side in the first leg of the African Champions League round of 16 on Sunday.

“I preferred to rest some players such as (left back) Ahmed Shedid and (central defender) Mohamed Naguib in an attempt to overcome this problem,” he added.

Ahly, who recovered from a slow start to the season, are on top of Group A in the league’s new format with 21 points, two ahead of second-placed ENPPI who played a game more.

The Cairo giants, Egypt and Africa’s most successful club of all time, are eyeing an eighth successive league title.

Ahram